to teach us the truth, and has also been manifestly proved and confirmed through all ages as a Divine and infallible institution. (Short History of Religion: Concluding Remarks §§. 5, 6, 7, and 8.)

24. And why do we say that through the Catholic Church alone we infallibly know the true meaning of the Scripture and of Tradition?

Because the Catholic Church alone is "the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3, 15), and, therefore, cannot err in the interpretation of the Word of God.

25. May no one, then, presume to explain the Scripture and Tradition contrary to the interpretation of the Catholic Church?

No; for this would be as if he understood the Scripture and Tradition better than the Holy Ghost, who inspires the Church with the true meaning of it.

26. But is the meaning of the Holy Scripture not clear in itself, and easy to be understood by every one? No; for the Holy Scripture is a Divine and mysterious book, "in which," as St. Peter says, speaking of the Epistles of St. Paul, are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest to their own destruction." (2 Petr. 3, 16.)

"What else gives rise to so many heresies, but because the Scripture, which is good in itself, is ill understood ?"-St. Augustine.

27. Is it not then true that the Bible alone is the only Rule of Faith? Or, in other words: Is not then every private individual to search the Bible, and nothing but the Bible, until he finds out what he has to believe?

No; for not the Bible alone, but the Bible and Tradition, both infallibly interpreted by the Church, are the right Rule of Faith.

1. If it was the will of our Saviour that we should arrive at the knowledge of the truths of salvation simply by reading and searching the Scripture, why then is it

written: "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the (preaching of the) Word of Christ ?"-(Rom. 10, 17.) And why then did not Christ Himself write? Why did He not commission His Apostles to write? Why did they not write but after the lapse of a long space of time, and only upon some special occasion? Why did they not all write? Why did He Himself "give some Apostles, and some Prophets, and other some Evangelists, and other some Pastors and Doctors?"—(1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4.) Why did He not command that every one, or, at least, every Christian should learn to read? Why then was printing invented so late? etc.

2. The Christian Religion had been spread, and flourished, before the Books of the New Testament were written; and even after they had been written, there were many Christian nations, as St. Irenæus testifies, who did not so much as possess the Holy Scriptures.

28.* What has the Church decreed with regard to the reading of the Bible in the vulgar tongue ?

1. That we should have the learning and piety requisite for it; and 2. That the translation should be accompanied with explanations, and that both should be approved of by the Church.

By this wise provision, the Church by no means intends to withhold the Word of God from the faithful, since she desires nothing more than that all should know it, and meditate upon it; she merely wishes to guard them against corrupted Bibles, which are often designedly offered to ignorant people, and against erroneous interpretations, sects, and schisms.

Application.-In matters of faith, never trust your own judgment, but always humbly submit to the decisions of Holy Church; for when you believe what the Church teaches, you believe the Word of God.

§. 2. Necessity of Faith.

29. Is faith necessary to salvation ?

for

Faith is absolutely necessary to salvation; "without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebr. 11, 6.)

He that doth not believe, is already judged." (John 3, 18.) "He that believeth not, shall be condemned." (Mark 16, 16.)

30. Will any faith save us?

No; only the true faith, which Christ our Lord has taught, will save us.

"He that believeth in the Son, hath life everlasting; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3, 36.)

31. Why will that faith only, which Christ has taught, save us?

Because by this faith alone, and by no other, we are made partakers of Christ, and without Christ there is no salvation.

"For there is no other name under Heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4, 12.)

32. Is it then a sin to say, that it does not matter what faith we profess?

Yes, it is a grievous sin to say so, or even only to think so; for we despise God by it, who has given us the one true faith, and, therefore, has sent His Only Begotten Son into the world. (Short Hist. of Rel.; Concl. Rem. §. 1.)

If it did not matter what we believe, it would not have been necessary for God to reveal a religion, and our ancestors might all have remained Heathens or Jews. But "this is the judgment," says Jesus Christ, "because the light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than the light;" (John 3, 19.) i.e., because many were obstinate in their unbelief, although they saw the truth, or could have seen it, provided they had been sincere.

33.* But is it not written: "He that feareth God, and worketh justice, is acceptable to Him?" (Acts 10,35.) Yes; but he who fears God, does also believe all that He has revealed, as Cornelius did. (Acts 10.) He, on the contrary, who does not believe all that God has revealed, does not fear Him either, but rejects His Word, and denies His Veracity.

"He that believeth not the Son, maketh Him a liar.” (1 John, 5,-10.)

34. Which Church has the true faith, taught by Christ?

It is only the Catholic Church that has the true faith taught by Christ.

35. Why is it only the Catholic Church that has the true faith taught by Christ?

Because the Catholic Church alone has received from Christ Himself, through His Apostles, this faith as a Heavenly gift committed to her trust, and has always preserved it uncorrupted. (1 Tim. 6, 20.)

36. Have not the Protestant Sects also received their doctrine from Christ Himself, and preserved it uncorrupted?

No; for 1. It is impossible that they should have received it from Christ Himself, since they did not begin to exist till long after Christ; and

2. It is equally impossible that they should always have preserved uncorrupted whatsoever of the doctrine of Christ and His Apostles has devolved to them, because they teach at different times different principles, whereas Christ and the Apostles always taught the same.

"Our preaching which was to you, was not, It is, and It is not; for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, was not, It is, and It is not, but, It is, was in Him." (2 Cor. 1, 18. 19.)

37. If then the true faith is essentially necessary to salvation, and the Catholic faith is the only true one; is it not a great grace to be a Catholic Christian ?

To be a Catholic Christian is an invaluable grace, for which we cannot thank God enough, and which we ought most earnestly to turn to our advantage.

Application. Rejoice, and often thank God that you are a child of the Catholic Church; for "there is," as St. Augustine says, "no greater wealth, no greater treasure than the Catholic Faith," provided we live as our faith teaches us. This truth is especially

confirmed at the hour of death.

§. 3. Qualities of Faith.

38. What must be the qualities of our faith? Our faith must be 1. Universal; 2. Firm; 3. Lively; and 4. Constant.

39. When is our faith universal?

Our faith is universal, when we believe not only some, but all the truths which the Catholic Church proposes to our belief.

40. Is then no one at liberty to admit and believe only some points of the Christian faith?

No; for 1. Christ says without exception : "Preach the Gospel to every creature; he that believeth not shall be condemned;" (Mark 16, 15. 16.) and again: "Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." (Matt. 28, 20.) And St. John says: "Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." (2 John 1, 9.) And 2. He who believes of the doctrine of Christ only what he pleases, has no faith at all; for such a one does not believe God, but his own judgment.

41. When is our faith firm?

Our faith is firm, when we believe without the least doubt.

EXAMPLES: Abraham, rewarded for his firm faith: In the promise of God he staggered not by distrust; but was strengthened in faith; and, therefore, it was reputed to him unto justice." (Rom. 4, 20. 22.) Moses and Aaron, punished on account of a doubt. (Numb. 20, 12.)

42. When is our faith lively?

Our faith is lively, when we live up to it; that is, when we avoid evil and do good according as our faith prescribes.

"As the body without the spirit is dead; so also faith without works is dead." (James 2. 26.)

43. Will a dead faith also save us?